Support assembly

ABSTRACT

A support assembly comprising first and second parts, each part comprising a pair of spaced parallel elongate members ( 12, 14, 62 ), and a support arrangement ( 16 ) extending between the elongate members ( 12, 14, 62 ), the first and second parts being mountable together with the planes thereof inclined relative to each other and first ones of the elongate members ( 12, 62 ) aligned adjacent and parallel to each other such that the apex defined by the meeting of the first elongate members ( 12, 62 ) provides a first support surface, and opposite sides of the other elongate members ( 14, 62 ) define second spaced support surfaces. The support arrangement ( 16 ) may comprise a plurality of spaced metal members ( 34 ), or wooden boards ( 68 ),

[0001] This invention concerns a support assembly, and particularly butnot exclusively an assembly for supporting a floor, roof and/or ceiling.

[0002] Floor beams or trusses are used extensively in building. In manyinstances due to the scarcity of wood, wooden beams and the like arebecoming quite expensive. Also, transporting such beams can beexpensive. Furthermore, a significant amount of work can be required onsite in lifting and installing such bears. It is often required toprovide such beams at a predetermined spacing and a not inconsiderableamount of work may be involuted in providing the required spacing.

[0003] According to the present invention there is provided a supportassembly, the assembly comprising first and second parts, each partbeing of generally planar configuration and comprising a pair of spacedparallel elongate members, and a support arrangement extending betweenthe elongate members, the first and second parts being mountabletogether with the planes thereof inclined relative to each other andfirst ones of the elongate members aligned adjacent and parallel to eachother such that the apex defined by the meeting of the first elongatemembers provides a first support surface, and opposite sides of theother elongate members define second spaced support surfaces.

[0004] The support arrangement may comprise a plurality of spacedindividual support members extending between the elongate members.Alternatively the support arrangement may comprise a substantiallyplanar support member. The individual support members may comprise metalmembers, which may be pressed from metal sheet. The planar supportmembers may comprise wooden sheers, which may be plywood or gluedshavings.

[0005] The first and second parts may be substantially identical to eachother.

[0006] Means are preferably provided for bracing apart the otherelongate members of the first and second parts, and said means maycomprise a bracing bar. The bracing means may also comprise a bracketfor mounting the end of the bracing bar. Bracing bars are preferablyprovided at least adjacent each end of the elongate members.

[0007] The elongate members are preferably arranged such that when thefirst and second parts are mounted together, the top edges of the firstelongate members on each part are substantially co-planar to define afirst support surfaces and lower edges of the other elongate members oneach part which define the second support surfaces are alsosubstantially co-planar, and parallel to the top edges of the firstelongate members.

[0008] The elongate members may be wooden.

[0009] In one embodiment the elongate members have a rectangularcross-section. In another embodiment the elongate members have across-section comprising two opposite parallel sides interconnected by afirst side perpendicular thereto, and a second side inclined relative tothe first side. The inclination of the second side preferably determinesthe inclination between the first and second parts. A pair of elongatemembers may be formed by cutting an elongate rectangular cross-sectioncomponent longitudinally in half and at an inclination. The pair may beused adjacent each other respectively each on adjacent first and secondparts.

[0010] Each part of the assembly preferably comprises frames which mountthe respective elongate member and also the support arrangement. Wherethe support arrangement comprises a plurality of individual supportmembers, the support members may extend at an inclined orientationrelative to the elongate members, and adjacent individual supportmembers may extend at opposite inclinations to each other.

[0011] The frames preferably comprise an elongate part engagable with anelongate member. The elongate part may comprise a first sectionlocatable alongside a side of the respective elongate member and mountedthereto. The first section may have a substantially L-shapedconfiguration and provide support beneath and on one side of therespective elongate member. The frames preferably also comprise a secondsection inclined relative to the first section so as to provide therequired inclination between the first and second parts.

[0012] A channel may be provided on the frame and desirably the secondsections thereof, to slidingly accept ends of the bracing bars, orbrackets for mounting ends of the bracing bars.

[0013] Clips may be provided for mounting the first and second partstogether. The clips may be engagable with the respective frames and mayengage with formations on the frame. A lip may be provided extendablefor part of or the whole length of the frame, in which lip the clip isengagable. The clips may be sprung and may extend over the firstelongate members. The clips may be used to temporarily mount the firstelongate members together whilst the remainder of the assembly is puttogether and the bracing installed.

[0014] Alternatively or in addition, the first and second parts may bemounted together by pins or pegs extending through adjacent elongatemembers.

[0015] Rather than using frames, the support arrangements may be mounteddirectly on the elongate members. The support arrangements may bemounted on the elongate members by gluing and/or stapling.

[0016] Where the assembly is intended to rest on a wall or otherfixtures the first elongate members may extend beyond the other elongatemembers at least at one end thereof. A support component may be providedon the underside of the extended part of the first elongate members torest on the wall, and said component may comprise a wooden block.

[0017] When an assembly is to be mounted to an adjacent such assembly, aconnecting member which engages between respective other elongatemembers may be provided. The connecting member may be elongate with asubstantially T-shaped cross section, with the stem of the T locatablebetween the adjacent elongate members, and the head of the T mountableto each of the adjacent elongate members. Alternatively elongate memberson adjacent assemblies may be mounted together by pins or pegs extendingtherethrough.

[0018] The individual support members are preferably formed separatelyfrom the elongate parts of the frames, and may be mounted thereon byengagement in the channels. Engagement may be provided by spreading partof the support members in the channel and/or by riveting or other fixingmeans.

[0019] The invention also provides a support assembly for supporting afloor, roof and/or ceiling, the assembly being according To any of thepreceding sixteen paragraphs.

[0020] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by wayof example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

[0021]FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective end view of part of a firstsupport assembly according to the invention;

[0022]FIG. 2 is a more detailed diagrammatic perspective end view ofpart of the assembly of FIG. 1 in use;

[0023]FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic perspective view of part of the assemblyof FIG. 1 with a component partially removed, and with part of a similaradjacent assembly also shown;

[0024]FIG. 4 is a detailed diagrammatic perspective end view of part ofthe assembly of FIG. 1;

[0025]FIGS. 5 and 6 are diagrammatic cross-sectional side views of partof the assembly of FIG. 1 being formed;

[0026]FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic perspective rear view of an alternativeconstruction of part of the assembly of FIG. 1;

[0027]FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic end view of a second support assemblyaccording to the invention and part of an adjacent such assembly; and

[0028]FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic end view showing part of the constructionof the second support assembly of FIG. 8.

[0029] FIGS. 1 to 7 of the drawings show a first support assembly 10suitable for use in place of a beam or truss for use in supportingfloors, roofs and/or ceilings. The assembly 10 is formed from twoidentical parts, which are shown mounted together in the drawings. Eachpart comprises an upper wooden beam 12 and a lower wooden beam 14. Thebeams 12 and 14 are mounted in a spaced parallel relationship in eachpart by an elongate frame 16. Each frame 16 comprises a first elongatesection 18 which mounts the beam 12 and a second elongate section 20which mounts the beam 14.

[0030] In cross-section the section 18 has three fingers. A first finger22 extends upwardly as shown in the drawings and locates along the sideedge of the beam 12, and is mounted thereon by staples 24. A lip 26 isprovided a short distance below the top of the finger 22. A secondfinger 28 extends perpendicularly to the first finger 22 and locatesbeneath the beam 12. A third finger 30 extends at an outwards anddownward inclination from the fingers 22, 28. The finger 30 has achannel 32 extending along its length, which channel 32 narrows towardsits opening from a relatively broad base to provide a dove tailcross-section.

[0031] The second section 20 is identical to the first section with thefirst finger 22 extending along the inner side of the beam 14, thesecond finger 28 extending along the top of the beam 14, and the thirdfinger 30 pointing back towards the third finger 30 from the firstsection 18.

[0032] A plurality of cross members 34 extend between the respectivethird fingers 30. The cross members 34 are inclined relative to thelongitudinal direction of the beams 12, 14. Adjacent members 34 areinclined with an opposite inclination such that adjacent members 34define a series of inverted V's along the length of the beams 12, 14.The members 34 are formed from pressed metal sheets and have a fullwidth no low side walls at each end, with side walls which increase to amaximum height at the mid-part of the members 34 to provide a waisting.

[0033] The ends of the cross members 34 are mounted in the respectivechannels 32. FIGS. 5 and 6 show one method of mounting whereintransverse oblong recesses 36 are provided on the underside of the endsof the member 34, the recesses 36 being locatable in the channel 32(FIG. 5). A slightly smaller oblong tool can be inserted in the recesses36 and rotated to cause the narrower parts of the recesses 36 to spreadout and lock in the wider base of the channels 32, as shown in FIG. 6.An alternative method of mounting is shown in FIG. 7 where projections38 are provided on the underside of the ends of the cross members 34.The projections 38 are locatable in the channels 32 and mountabletherein by riveting or other fastening means.

[0034] For transportation and storage the two parts of the assembly 10can be laid on top of each other. When it is required to use theassembly 10, they are placed with the two upper beams adjacent andparallel to each other. The beams 12 can be temporarily held together bya plurality of spring clips 40 which locate thereover and are held inposition by engagement beneath the lip 26. Bracing members can now befitted. These include a transverse bracing member 42 and two inclinedbracing members 44. The members 42, 44 are mounted on the assembly 10 byvirtue of brackets 46 which have an upstanding plate 48 with a throughhole 50, and also a lower dove tail shaped part 32 which is locatable inthe respective channel 52. Once the bracing members 42, 44 are fully inposition, the spring clips 40 can be removed if required.

[0035] Where the assembly 10 is to be mounted rest on a wall, the upperbeams 12 and first sections 18 can be formed to be longer than the lowerbeams 14 and second sections 20, so as to extend there beyond. A supportmember such as a block of timber 34 can be mounted an the underside ofthe extended part of the beams 12 and first sections 18. The block 54 ismounted by a plurality of screws 56 extending through the respectivechannels 32. FIG. 2 shows this arrangement with the block 34 resting ona wall 58.

[0036] Usually, a plurality of such support assemblies 10 will be usedadjacent to each other. The width of the assembly 10 provided by thespace between the lower beams 14 generally provides the correct spacingbetween adjacent assemblies 10. Adjacent assemblies 10 can be joined byan elongate connecting member 59 extending therebetween. The member 59has a T-shaped cross-section and the stem locates between the respectivelower beams 14, with the cross bars of the member 59 mounted on the topof the beams 14 by screws 62.

[0037] There is thus described a support assembly which provides for anumber of advantageous features. The assembly can readily be transportedwithout taking up undue space and can then be rapidly assembled. Theassembly provides the correct spacing between adjacent assemblieswithout any skilled or difficult operation. The assembly can be maderelatively lightweight and also of strong construction. At least thevast majority of the installation of these assemblies can be cried outby a single person.

[0038]FIG. 8 shows almost two complete second support assemblies 60usable in a similar situation to the assembly 10. The assembly 60 has amore simple construction than the assembly 10. Each assembly 60 is againformed from two identical parts. Each part again comprises an upperwooden beam 62, but in this instance the beam 62 has a side face 64which is inclined vertically at an angle of 30° to an opposite side face66. The opposite side face 66 is perpendicular to the top and bottom ofthe beam 62. Similar lower wooden beams 62 are also provided. Each beam62 is mounted by its face 64 along an end of an elongate board 68, withone beam 62 on one side of the board 68 at one edge thereof, and anotherbeam 62 on the opposite side of the beam 68 on the other side edgethereof. The beams 62 would generally be wooden and mounted to the board68 by stapling and/or gluing. The board 68 may be made of plywood orglued shavings, or any other suitable material.

[0039] Spaced aligned transverse holes are provided through the beams 62and board 68 mounted thereto. By aligning together the perpendicularfaces 66 of adjacent beams 62, these can be mounted together by locatingpegs or pins 70 Through the aligned holes. The beams 62 may be formed bycutting a rectangular cross-section of the larger beam 72 in half and atan inclination of 30° as illustrated in FIG. 9 to provide two matchingbeams 62. Such matching beams 62 may be provided adjacent each other.

[0040] The support assembly 60 is thus simple to form yet alsolightweight and strong. In FIG. 8 the assembly 60 is illustratedproviding support between a ceiling 74 and a floor 76 on the next levelthereabove.

[0041] Various other modifications may be made without departing fromthe scope of the invention. For example, the sections of the frame couldhave a different shape or configuration. A different bracing arrangementcould be provided. The beams could be mounted differently on the frame.Different materials could be used for the various components.

[0042] Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to drawattention to those features of the invention believed to be ofparticular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claimsprotection in respect of any patentable feature or combination offeatures hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whetheror not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

1. A support assembly (10, 60) characterised in that the assembly (10,60) comprises first and second parts, each part being of generallyplanar configuration and comprising a pair of spaced parallel elongatemembers (12, 14, 62), and a support arrangement (16) extending betweenthe elongate members (12, 14, 62), the first and second parts beingmountable together with the planes thereof inlined relative to eachother and first ones of the elongate members (12, 62) aligned adjacentand parallel to each other such that the apex defined by the meeting ofthe first elongate members (12, 62) provides a first -support surface,and opposite sides of the other elongate members (14, 62) define secondspaced support surfaces.
 2. A support assembly according to claim 1,characterised in that the support arrangement (16) comprises a pluralityof spaced individual support members (34) extending between the elongatemembers (12, 14).
 3. A support assembly according to claim 2,characterised in that the individual support members (34) comprise metalmembers.
 4. A support assembly according to claim 3, characterised inthat the metal members are pressed from metal sheet.
 5. A supportassembly according to claim 1, characterised in that the supportarrangement comprises a substantially planar support member (68).
 6. Asupport assembly according to claim 5, characterised in that planarsupport members comprise wooden sheets (68).
 7. A support assemblyaccording to claim 6, characterised in that the wooden sheets (68) areplywood or glued shavings.
 8. A support assembly according to any of thepreceding claims, characterised in that the first and second parts aresubstantially identical to each other.
 9. A support assembly accordingto any of the preceding claims, characterised in that means are providedfor bracing apart the other elongate members (12 14, 62) of the firstand second parts.
 10. A support assembly according to claim 9,characterised in tat the bracing means comprises a bracing bar (42, 44).11. A support assembly according to claim 9 or 10, characterised in thatthe bracing means comprise a bracket (46) for mounting the end of thebracing bar (42, 44).
 12. A support assembly according to claim 10 or11, characterised in that bracing bars (42, 44) are provided at leastadjacent each end of the elongate members.
 13. A support assemblyaccording to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that theelongate members (12, 14, 62) are arranged such that when the first andsecond parts are mounted together, the top edges of the first elongatemembers (12, 62) on each part are substantially co-planar to define afirst support surface, and lower edges of the other elongate members(14, 62) on each part which define the second support surfaces are alsosubstantially co-planar, and parallel to the top edges of the firstelongate members (12, 62).
 14. A support assembly according to any ofthe preceding claims, characterised in that the elongate members (12,14, 62) are wooden.
 15. A support assembly according to any of thepreceding claims, characterised in that the elongate members (12, 14)have a rectangular cross-section.
 16. A support assembly according toany of claims 1 to 14, characterised in that the elongate members (62)have a cross-section comprising two opposite parallel sidesinterconnected by a first side perpendicular thereto, and a second side(64) inclined relative to the first side.
 17. A support assemblyaccording to claim 16, characterised in that the inclination of thesecond side determines the inclination between the first and secondparts.
 18. A support assembly according to claims 16 or 17,characterised in that a pair of elongate members (62) are formed bycutting an elongate rectangular cross-section component longitudinallyin half and at an inclination.
 19. A support assembly according to claim19, characterised in that the pair (62) is used adjacent each otherrespectively each on adjacent first and second parts.
 20. A supportassembly according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in thateach part of the assembly (10, 60) comprises frames which mount therespective elongate member (12, 14, 62) and the support arrangement 16.21. A support assembly according to any of claims 2 to 4 or any ofclaims 8 to 20 when dependent on any of claims 2 to 4, characterised inthat the individual support members (34) extend at an inclinedorientation relative to the elongate members (12, 14).
 22. A supportassembly according to claim 211 characterised in that adjacentindividual support members (34) extend at opposite inclinations to eachother.
 23. A support assembly according to any of claims 20 to 22,characterised in that the frames comprise an elongate part (18, 20)engagable with an elongate member (12, 14).
 24. A support assemblyaccording to claim 23, characterised in that the elongate part (18, 20)comprises a first section (22, 28) locatable alongside a side of therespective elongate member (12, 14) and mounted thereto.
 25. A supportassembly according to claim 24, characterised in that the first section(22, 28) has a substantially L-shaped configuration and provides supportbeneath and an one side of the respective elongate member.
 26. A supportassembly according to any of claims 24 or 25, characterised in that theframes comprise a second section (30) inclined relative to the firstsection (22, 28) so as to provide the required inclination between thefirst and second parts.
 27. A support assembly according to any ofclaims 20 to 26, characterised in that a channel (32) is provided on theframe.
 28. A support assembly according to claim 27 when dependent onclaim 26, characterised in that the second section (30) comprises thechannel (32).
 29. A support assembly according to claims 27 or 28 whendependent on any of claims 10 to 12, or any of claims 13 to 26 whendependent on any of claims 10 to 12, characterised in that the channel(32) slidingly accepts ends of the bracing bars (42, 44), or brackets(46) for mounting ends of the bracing bars (42, 44).
 30. A supportassembly according to claim 23 or any of claims 24 to 29 when dependenton claim 23, when dependent on any of claims 2 to 4 or any of claims 8to 22 when dependent on claims 2 to 4, characterised in that theindividual support members (34) are formed separately from the elongateparts of the frames.
 31. A support assembly according to claim 30 whendependent on any of claims 27 to 29, characterised in that theindividual support members (34) are mounted on the frames by engagementin the channels (32).
 32. A support assembly according to claim 31,characterised in that engagement is provided by spreading part of thesupport members (34) in the channel (32) and/or by riveting or otherfixing means.
 33. A support assembly according to any of the precedingclaims, characterised in that clips (40) are provided for mounting thefirst and second parts together.
 34. A support assembly according toclaim 33 when dependent on any of claims 20 to 32, characterised in thatthe clips (40) are engagable with the respective frames.
 35. A supportassembly according to claim 34, characterised in that the clips (40)engage with formations on the frame.
 36. A support assembly according toclaims 34 or 351 characterised in that a lip (26) is provided extendiblefor part of or the whole length of the frame, in which lip (26) the clip(40) is engagable.
 37. A support assembly according to any of claims 33to 36, characterised in that the clips (40) are sprung.
 38. A supportassembly according to any of claims 33 to 37, characterised in that theclips (40) extend over the first elongate members (12).
 39. A supportassembly according to any of claims 33 to 36 when dependent on any ofclaims 9 to 12, or when dependent on any of claims 13 to 32 whendependent on any of claims 9 to 12 characterised in that the dips (40)are used to temporarily mount the first elongate members (12) togetherwhilst the remainder of the assembly (10, 60) is put together and thebracing (42, 44, 46) installed.
 40. A support assembly according to anyof the preceding claims, characterised in that the first and secondparts are mounted together by pins or pegs (70) extending throughadjacent elongate members (12, 14, 62).
 41. A support assembly accordingto any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the supportarrangements (16) may be mounted directly on the elongate members (12,14, 62).
 42. A support assembly according to claim 41, characterised inthat the support arrangements (16) are mounted on the elongate members(12, 14, 62) by gluing and/or stapling.
 43. A support assembly accordingto any of the preceding claims, characterised in that where the assembly(10, 60) is intended to rest on a wall (58) or other fixture, the firstelongate members (12, 62) extend beyond the other elongate members (14,62) at least at one end thereof.
 44. A support assembly according toclaim 43, characterised in that a support component (54) is provided onthe underside of the extended part of the first elongate members (12,62) to rest on the wall (58).
 45. A support assembly according to claim44, characterised in that the support component (54) may comprise awooden block.
 46. A support assembly according to any of the precedingclaims, characterised in that when an assembly (10, 60) is to be mountedto an adjacent such assembly (10, 60), a connecting member (59) whichengages between respective other elongate members (12, 14, 62) isprovided.
 47. A support assembly according to claim 44, characterised inthat the connecting member (59) is elongate with a substantiallyT-shaped cross section, with the stern of the T locatable between theadjacent elongate members (14, 62), and the head of the T mountable toeach of the adjacent elongate members (14, 62).
 48. A support assemblyaccording to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that elongatemembers (12, 14, 62) on adjacent assemblies (10, 60) may be mountedtogether by pins or pegs (70) extending therethrough.
 49. A supportassembly according to any of the preceding claims characterised in thatthe support assembly (10, 60) is suitable for supporting a floor, roofand/or ceiling.
 50. Any novel subject matter or combination includingnovel subject matter disclosed herein, whether or not within the scopeof or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.